Ina Garten’s Cozy Pastitsio Recipe: A Simple Mediterranean Joy

Pastitsio, a hearty Greek casserole, weaves together robust Mediterranean flavors in a symphony of textures and aromas.

Traditional culinary techniques transform simple ingredients into a memorable dining experience that feels both rustic and refined.

Home cooks appreciate this dish for its complex layers and rich, satisfying profile.

Each carefully constructed stratum promises a delightful balance of savory meat, tender pasta, and silky béchamel sauce.

Mediterranean cuisine shines through its masterful combination of warm spices and creamy elements that dance across your palate.

Comfort food enthusiasts will fall in love with this elegant yet approachable recipe that brings warmth and nostalgia to the dinner table: dive in and savor every bite.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Pastitsio

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base that provides rich flavor and meaty texture for the dish.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that builds deep savory foundation for the meat sauce.
• Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Adds natural sweetness and creates robust sauce consistency.
• Red Wine: Enhances depth of flavor and brings complexity to the meat sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides additional moisture and subtle background flavor.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness and herbal notes to the sauce.
• Cinnamon, Clove: Warm spices that contribute Mediterranean-style depth and complexity.

• Pasta: Classic Greek-style tubular pasta that serves as the foundational layer.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create smooth, luxurious texture in multiple recipe stages.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps create structure and provides richness to the dish.
• Milk: Creates smooth, creamy béchamel sauce with silky consistency.
• Cheese: Provides saltiness, creaminess, and golden-brown top layer.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance overall flavor profile.
• Nutmeg: Warm spice that adds subtle complexity to béchamel sauce.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Pastitsio Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Kitchen Setup

Gather all necessary equipment. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Line up ingredients.

• Skillet
• Large pot
• Saucepan
• Baking dish
• Cooking utensils

Step 2: Create Flavorful Meat Sauce

• Tomatoes
• Red wine
• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Fresh parsley
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Ground cloves

Simmer sauce for 20 minutes on low heat.

Step 3: Cook Pasta Perfectly

• Melted butter
• Grated cheese
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper
• Beaten eggs

Step 4: Craft Creamy Béchamel Sauce

• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Pepper

• Grated cheese
• Beaten egg
• Egg yolk

Step 5: Layer Casserole Carefully

Spread pasta evenly in baking dish. Pour meat sauce over pasta. Top with remaining béchamel sauce. Sprinkle additional cheese.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes until top turns golden brown and edges bubble.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes. Cut into square portions. Serve warm.

Pro Tips for Mastering Pastitsio

• Control the Fat: Choose lean ground beef to minimize grease and create a healthier version of this classic Greek dish without sacrificing flavor.
• Customize the Seasoning: Taste the meat sauce as you cook and gradually add salt and pepper to build layers of deliciousness that match your personal preference.
• Elevate with Wine: Select a high-quality dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to deepen the sauce's complexity and add sophisticated undertones.
• Develop Rich Flavors: Simmer the meat sauce covered, allowing herbs and spices to blend and intensify, creating a more robust and harmonious taste profile.
• Perfect Pasta Layer: Cook the pasta slightly al dente before assembling the pastitsio, ensuring it doesn't become mushy during the final baking process.

Keeping Your Pastitsio Fresh: Storage Ideas

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve the pastitsio's flavors and texture by using a vacuum sealer. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the dish's original taste, ensuring each bite remains as delicious as when first prepared.
• Portion Freezing: Slice the pastitsio into individual servings before freezing. Wrap each portion separately in freezer-safe parchment paper, then place in a labeled freezer bag. This method allows quick thawing and prevents waste, giving you convenient meal options for busy days.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Keep pastitsio in a shallow, airtight container to maximize freshness. Place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent moisture buildup and protect against potential flavor absorption from other foods in the refrigerator.

Switch It Up: Pastitsio Variations Worth Trying

• Mediterranean Lamb Pastitsio: Replace ground beef with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor profile that captures traditional Greek cooking essence.
• Vegetarian Greek Casserole: Swap ground meat with lentils, mushrooms, and roasted eggplant to create a hearty plant-based version that maintains the original recipe's robust texture and spices.
• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and a touch of harissa paste to elevate the dish's heat and complexity while keeping the classic pastitsio structure.
• Gluten-Free Greek Comfort: Use gluten-free pasta and replace wheat flour with cornstarch or alternative flour in the béchamel sauce to make this classic recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Wrapping Up the Pastitsio Experience

Mediterranean kitchens whisper centuries of culinary magic through pastitsio, Ina Garten’s Greek-inspired masterpiece.

Her recipe weaves rich ground beef, aromatic spices, and creamy béchamel into layers of comfort and tradition.

Greek comfort comes alive with each carefully constructed bite, connecting generations through flavor and technique.

Pasta layers become architectural statements of deliciousness, promising warmth and satisfaction in every forkful.

Cheese melts into golden landscapes, creating memories that linger long after dinner concludes.

Passionate cooks, this Greek classic calls: share its story, snap its beauty, spread delectable inspiration across social media platforms and kitchen counters worldwide.

Why Ina Garten’s Pastitsio Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Savor Layered Mediterranean Magic: This pastitsio delivers a stunning combination of rich ground beef, perfectly cooked pasta, and creamy béchamel sauce that transforms a simple casserole into a restaurant-worthy Greek classic.
• Master Complex Flavors with Ease: Despite looking intricate, the recipe breaks down into simple steps where each component builds incredible depth through ingredients like cinnamon, wine, and nutmeg, making gourmet cooking accessible to home chefs.
• Create a Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Meal: Designed for family gatherings and potlucks, this dish serves multiple people, offers make-ahead potential, and provides a hearty one-pan meal that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

Delicious Brown Sugar Chops Recipe

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4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory brown sugar chops bring Mediterranean charm to your dinner table, blending sweet and tangy flavors with succulent pork. Juicy cuts glazed in caramelized sugar promise a memorable meal that delights your taste buds with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 pork chops

Sweeteners and Seasonings:

• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce

Fats:

• 6 tablespoons (84 grams) margarine or butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and select a 9×13 inch baking pan that comfortably fits the pork chops.
2. Arrange the pork chops in a single layer within the baking pan, ensuring they are not overlapping.
3. Generously sprinkle of brown sugar evenly over the surface of each pork chop, creating a sweet base layer.
4. Carefully place of margarine or butter directly on top of the brown sugar for each chop, allowing it to melt and distribute flavor.
5. Drizzle soy sauce uniformly across all pork chops, ensuring each piece receives an equal coating of the savory liquid.
6. Completely cover the baking pan with aluminum foil, creating a tight seal to lock in moisture and promote even cooking.
7. Transfer the covered pan to the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes, allowing the pork chops to cook thoroughly and absorb the rich flavors.
8. Remove the foil after 45 minutes and return the pan to the oven, continuing to cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
9. Watch for a beautiful caramelized glaze and golden-brown edges to develop, indicating the pork chops are nearly done.
10. Once removed from the oven, let the pork chops rest for 5-7 minutes to help retain their juiciness and allow the flavors to settle.
11. Serve the pork chops warm, showcasing their glossy, caramelized exterior and tender interior.

Notes

• Caramelization happens when brown sugar meets high heat, creating a mouthwatering glaze that transforms ordinary pork chops into a flavor explosion.
• Selecting thick-cut pork chops ensures juicy, tender meat that absorbs the sweet and savory marinade perfectly.
• Aluminum foil acts as a protective shield during initial cooking, trapping moisture and preventing the meat from drying out.
• Soy sauce brings depth and umami, balancing the sweetness of brown sugar with a subtle salty undertone.
• Resting the meat after cooking allows juices to redistribute, guaranteeing each bite is succulent and full of rich flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 364 kcal
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 105 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 83 mg